When several community members got a chance to meet Athena, Wright City’s recent K-9 recruit, they found out firsthand the dog has no shortage of energy.

A small list of people who helped name Athena or raised funds to purchase her were invited to a private meeting with the dog and her handler, Officer Andy Huston, on Saturday at the Wil Heiliger Building in Diekroeger Park.

Although Athena is trained to find drugs and apprehend suspects, she doesn’t shy away from social visits. Athena was almost jumping with excitement when she was introduced to the group of new people — but only after she checked a stack of boxes for anything suspicious.

“Belgian malinois are very high strung compared to (German) shepherds. She is constantly going, 24/7,” Huston said. “When she enters a room, or when she sees a car, she’s in work mode. She wants to search the whole room.”

The police department purchased Athena with money raised from major fundraising efforts earlier this year. At the Red, Wright and Blue Motorcycle Fest in August, the department asked community members to suggest names for the dog. Seven people suggested Athena (including a member of The Record staff).

Athena and Huston went through almost two months of training together before she was put in service. But Huston said training continues every day, at home and on the road. 

When Athena does her job well and correctly detects narcotics in a vehicle, she gets a reward — a tennis ball.

“She eats tennis balls like crazy,” Huston said.

While she has been deployed, Athena has helped on plenty of small drug busts, including on her first day, he said. Huston described her energy and drive as one of her strongest attributes, but also something that requires a constant outlet. And he’s been bit plenty of times during their short relationship.

“She’s high strung at home, too,” Huston said with a smile. “You would think she would be slowing down after work, but she doesn’t.”

Athena is replacing Zeus, the department’s former K-9 German shepherd who was retired in August. Zeus was having health issues, and now lives at home with longtime handler Tommy Tomlin.

New Wright City police dog Athena gets attention from Jessica and Jeremy Brinkmann, who helped name her. K-9 handler Andy Huston brought Athena to meet several community members at the Wil Heilerger Building in Wright City Dec. 9. Record photo/Adam Rollins.

Wright City Police Officer Andy Huston answers questions about the city's new police dog, Athena, during a meet-and-greet Dec. 9. Athena is a Belgian malinois purchased by the department after a fundraising effort this year. Record photo/Adam Rollins.